Lightning sparks blaze at historic Addison golf club

A lightning strike was believed to be the cause of an extra-alarm blaze at Oak Meadows Golf Club in Addison last night that collapsed part of the historic country club's roof, officials said.

Fire crews were able to snuff out the flames early this morning, but earlier they could be seen coming from the roof of the tudor-style clubhouse, built in the 1920s, said Dean Westrom, director of golf operations for the DuPage County Forest Preserve, which owns the club. Westrom said no one was hurt and the building was empty when the fire broke out shortly before 7:30 p.m. Addison fire officials could not be reached overnight for comment.

"It took a lightning strike and fire got in the attic area. It's now taken down the roof of the entire ballroom," said Westrom, who was watching from outside the burning building.

He said an employee who lives nearby saw a big bolt of lightning during tonight's storms and said "it looked like it hit right over Oak Meadows."

The roof above the main ballroom of the club, 900 N. Wood Dale Rd., collapsed as firefighters worked. Westrom said it appeared that a second banquet hall, which holds weddings and other gatherings, appeared to have been affected also.

Several neighboring fire departments were called in to help fight the blaze.

Later, after the fire alarms were struck, Westrom described the damage in a phone interview as "substantial."

"We've got a lot of water damage in offices and other parts of the building are pretty well flooded out," he said. "The building inspectors are going to come through and see if it's even salvageable."

"What isn't damaged by fire is pretty much water soaked," he said.

Among the items destroyed were memorabilia from the club's early days. Despite the extensive damage to the building, Westrom said the golf course will operate as normal, but he said weddings and banquets already scheduled will likely be canceled.

"I'm just heartbroken for my staff and their families right now and we're just going to have to get through this," Westrom said.